The last couple of days have seen parts of block 1 overturned ready for the water pipes I assume. This picture was taken this morning. I hope the disruption is not for the whole two months that Bu Bader (comment on previous quote) mentioned this phase will take.

In any case this is good news. Water connection wil hopefully also mean some greening of the area. can’t wait.

You can’t miss the fence around the pipeline area, which is a real eyesore.  The only positive thing I can think of is how beautiful the desert will look, inside, during the spring.  No cars will damage the seasonal growth.  I hope we can at least access it on foot.  It would be a real shame not to use – at least the adjacent area – as a walkway for the nicer days of the year.  My children and I have had many walks here, and I hope we can continue to do so next winter/spring.

It started late last year.

When they started paving the footpaths last winter, I was disappointed to see no space left for trees and shrubs on the main routes.  Over the past two weeks, they’ve dug out the blocks in the middle of the wider paths and set up the borders for plants in the future.

I can’t believe that something this simple is not taken into account the first time round.  I am happy however that it wasn’t overlooked altogether.

This was in today’s Al Qabas (daily paper).  It’s not as bad as they say: it hasn’t been a year! In fact they’ve made a lot of progress in their first few months.  However I have noticed a significant slow down recently.

If anyone has information, please post a comment.  I will try to talk to the project manager later this week.

UPDATE 28/3/2010

There are some signs of activity around the area.  I haven’t had a chance to visit the project manager – I’m traveling.  It’s not as bad as is in the paper!

Rubbish Truck takes Mud Bath

A friend & neighbour posted these images on Facebook November 29th.  I saw them yesterday and he kindly gave me permission to use them today.  Thank you Moosa.

Parallel to the development we’re having in phase 3, the footpaths are finally being put in place in the established areas.  It’s nice to see the increase in the level of activity around us.  Within the next year or so, Mangaf will have a much more complete look.

I’ve been watching these people since the day they started.  I’m disappointed not to see space being left for trees!  It seems we will get these horrible concrete paths (which is an improvement – yes) but I wish some green finds its way to us! God knows we need it.

He offered to take Scope around the area to show them the shops in Aziziya – which he compared to Khaitan and Jileeb.  I think it will become better with the new co-op there.  I hope!

I’m very pleased to hear someone caring about the area and warning about potential problems – seeking change.

Bu Nawaf – if there is anything I can do to help, please email me.

2011 !!!!

I posted about the roads tender back in July and I’ve been following up the “progress” – very slow progress – on the government website and construction news.  If you add all the information together, it gives an answer of early 2009 for the commencement of works.

I was talking to a neighbour last week and he knows someone in the Ministry of Works.  His information suggests February 2009.  Usually, I wouldn’t have bothered to post this, but the fact that it agrees with the tender closing dates, and generally the amount of time it would take to evaluate and select, it sounds about right to me.

I will of course write once I have confrimation.  If any reader has more information, please add your comments.

I’m patient but this is really statring to get to me.  Even the daily newspaper, Al Qabas, has featured our mess in Blocks 1 and 2.  In fact, ther did it twice in the past few days.  It’s embarrassing.